The forward has missed a number of simple chances this term (Picture: Getty)

‘He is not the same barnstorming, all conquering player of last season. Benteke has struggled with injuries – a hip and a knee problem – and that has hampered his form,’ he explains.

Villa are rejecting all interview requests for the striker, refusing to allow him a chance to put the record straight.

In his defence, Benteke has scored the same amount of goals as he did at this stage last term, but he isn’t the battering ram he was. The sparkle has disappeared.

Club Metro’s Villa blogger Andrew Raeburn suggests Benteke is crippled by expectation, and is the victim of his own success last term.

‘He’s snatching at chances and his control has often let him down. His aerial ability isn’t quite what it was – he often looks concerned about his hip and how he’s landing. I also think he’s starting to feel the pressure of the World Cup looming,’ he says.